dave mcbride

The Saints had 420 yards to the Eagles 250 in that game, and the Saints won the turnover battle too, getting 2 and only giving up 1. Not sure what you're referring too -- they utterly dominated the Eagles statistically. They had the ball for a ridiculous 37:50 to the Eagles 22:10 also. Also, the next time Singletary rushes for 336 yards and 6 TDs on 71 carries in three postseason games -- which Michel did in 2018 -- let me know.

A referee who doesn't make one of the worst non-calls ever, for one.

I'll believe those RB numbers when I see it. I just don't see teams spending a lot for the decline years of RBs, especially this year given the cap decline.

You really think Drake gets that? I doubt it, but who knows? Lynch turned out to be a great pick (just not for the Bills, although he was quite good in his first two seasons)!

Well, Sony Michel, who was legit good in 2018. Seattle got a top ten draft pick for a song (Lynch), and I'm down for that if such a player is available for trade. I'm not saying spend a first rounder or early second rounder on a RB, by the way. That was never my point, but it can be a wise expenditure in certain situations.

Another point about championships and rushing the ball: 2018: NE was 3rd in rushing attempts and 5th in yards 2017: Philly was 6th in attempts and 3rd in yards 2016: NE was 3rd in attempts and 7th in yards 2015: Denver was 17th in attempts and 17th in yards (better than their passing numbers; they won with defense anyway) 2014: NE was 13th in attempts and 18th in yards 2013: Seattle was 2nd in attempts and 4th in yards 2012: Baltimore was 12th in attempts and 11th in yards Last year, the Chiefs were 27th in attempts and 23rd in yards, and in 2011, the Giants were 22nd in attempts and 32nd in yards. Still, the majority of teams listed above do run the ball and most had great passing games too (Denver in 2015 was an anomaly). Seattle barely threw it 2014 (31st in the league in attempts), but they were 10th in TD passes and had a team passer rating of 102.4. My point is, you can be a pass-first team, but when you absolutely need to turn on a run game in the playoffs in order to keep teams honest and your own attack balanced, you gotta have some horses. In three playoff games, the Bills' RBs ran it 30 times for 112 yards (3.7 ypc) and reeled off zero big plays.

Or a trade down from 30, which would be preferable given that it'll land the Bills an extra pick.

I get the scoring, but in the playoffs you have to be able to switch gears against good teams. They couldn't run against any of the teams they faced, and if not for the pick six, they're winning by the skin of their teeth (and maybe even losing to Baltimore) because they can't get more than mid-20s level points. Same thing with KC. I'm talking about an ingredient for a championship-level team, not about scoring 48 points vs. Jacksonville in early October.

I think he was in their doghouse because of fumbling. That may be the sort of thing they saw in practice and which we didn't know about. When he fumbled early last year in the red zone, we saw very little of him afterward. Historically, though, he hasn't been a particularly bad fumbler.

Good post, but the thing about Kamara is that he is a great route runner, which is everything to me. He can run WR routes, RB routes, etc. I actually think Yelden is a decent receiving back, but the other two aren't. But Yelden is likely gone and is basically a JAG overall. I just think it adds another dimension to an offense that needs to get to KC's level in order to beat them. You have to account for a player like that on every play he's in there. As for Drake, I've seen enough over the years to think he's a good dual threat. His numbers were down this year, but they were excellent last year after he joined AZ. I doubt that's a result of physical decline. He has a solid 40 time, too, fwiw - 4.45.

I don't disagree, but at pick #29, I think it's OK if he's clearly a better player talent than the alternatives. It's strange to say that the Bills have a lot of needs, but they do. Of course, first world problems.

I know, I know, guys like him are hard to find. But a RB who is both a talented runner and an excellent receiver out of the backfield would take the Bills' passing game to an even higher level (not to mention the running game). The Bills' passing game is awesome, but it's awfully reliant on WRs. Is there anyone with a Kamara profile in this year's draft? If not, Kenyon Drake--a free agent who turns 27 today--would be my target. He's not Kamara, but his game is similar, and he probably has 2-3 good years left in him.

As I said, he refused to take a lot of easy gainers throughout the game. Josh didn't play well on Sunday night, especially with regard to decision making. He'll get better.

I think that sounds wise. He is always a guy who has played a lot of snaps, by the way. Just look at this season: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HughJe99.htm

Disagree, Hap -- 22 percent is by far and away the fewest snaps he played all season. Check out the offensive snap count percentage to the right in the game logs: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DaviGa01.htm.

Good, concise piece. JW is clued in.

That works against an early-to-mid career Fitzpatrick, who was still basically a backup masquerading as a starter. Against Brady and a cast of elite receivers? No.

My one caveat is that you have to be more patient with young players. Edmunds is just 22 still, and Knox is a young 24. Both are extremely talented and way above average with regard to 40 times relative to their positions and size. NFL coaching is all about extracting the best out of raw, elite talent, and both of those guys are very talented physically.

He played great vs. Baltimore. Don't forget that.

The picks are slightly overrated. The one near the end zone was really bad, but the other two were effectively punts. Arians is a believer in Mike Martz, who always downplayed deep INTs thrown from your own end to the other end as risks worth making because the penalty for doing so was negligible.

All true. But as I was watching that, I immediately thought that if anyone gets singled (which I thought would never happen), Brady would attack. So predictable. Basically you play coverage and concede the 45 yard FG attempt there. That was obvious.

Yikes — these are extremely tough words about Pettine from LaFleur: https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/01/25/mike-pettine-under-fire-after-bucs-touchdown-before-halftime/

Excellent post, esp re Epenesa, but Moss looks like a pretty good NFL back to me. If I’m right (we’ll see), he’s good value for a third rounder. He needs to be paired with a faster back, however.

A fact: In the postseason, Allen is 0-2 on the road, and 2-0 at home. McDermott is 0-3 and 2-0.

Well, he was hurt.